God of Compassion,
You let your rain fall on the just and the unjust.
Expand and deepen our hearts
so that we love as You love,
even those among us who have caused the greatest pain by taking life.
For there is in our land a cry for vengeance
as we fill up death rows
and kill the killers in the name of justice,
in the name of peace.
You suffered execution at the hands of the state
but you did not let hatred overcome you.
Help us to reach out to victims of violence
so that Your enduring love may help them heal.
Holy Spirit of God,
You strengthen us in t4he struggle for justice.
Help us work tirelessly for the abolition of state-sanctioned death
and to renew our society
in its very heart
so that violence will be no more.

Amen.